Cheque moving apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cheque moving apparatus, comprising a central portion, a first leg extending from the central portion having a face, a second leg extending from the central portion having a face, and a handle extending from the central portion. The legs form an acute angle. The handle is generally a leg having a face and the legs are of a identical configuration and symmetrically spaced about the central portion. The legs are generally spaced approximately 120 degrees apart from one another. The legs include a relatively flat blade having an edge coplanar with an edge of the other blade.  
     The cheque moving apparatus is of a predetermined diameter and thickness is used to move a stack of cheques made up of a plurality of a predetermined number of cheques having a predetermined stack height. The faces are of a height at least that of the stack height and a length at least of the diameter of the cheque moving apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention disclosed herein relates to efficient game playing involving cheques. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for gathering and sliding cheques across a game table. Thus, the present invention can be used to smoothly speed up play of the game.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] Numerous devices for moving cheques are in existence, including long handled rakes and canes. Traditional rakes and canes are only good for sliding a small number of cheques, often knocking stacks of cheques over. In order to avoid knocking over stacks of cheques, or losing any cheques from point A to point B, the person running the game must move much slower and more carefully when using rakes or canes. Often the person running the game must slide a player's winnings over to the person in multiple trips because only a smaller number of cheques can be slid over to a winner at a time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention, unlike these previously mentioned devices, is small enough to be quickly utilized by the person running the game. Additionally, the present invention is designed so that it is able to quickly gather and slide a plurality of cheques, several stacks of cheques, without losing control of their placement. The present invention most always allows the person running the game to slide a winner's winning over to him in one easy motion.

[0006] The present invention, being relatively small, can be kept under a counter, or even on the counter next to the person running the game. The present invention may be designed so that it may be reached for by the person running the game without looking.

[0007] All of these aspects of the present invention allows the game to run faster. Removing awkward motions of the person running the game contributes to the smooth running of the game. Overall, the present invention allows for more games to be played over a reduced period of time, increasing the profits capable of being made by the owner of the games.

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a cheque moving apparatus having a central portion, and at least a first and second leg extending from the central portion, each leg having a face, wherein the legs form an angle which may be acute or obtuse. Also, a handle extends from the central portion.

[0009] Terminology

[0010] “Cheque” is a counter used in games, normally in the form of a stackable disk approximately ⅛ inch thick having approximately a 1 inch diameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a top view of a cheque moving apparatus.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cheque moving apparatus being used.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a side view of the cheque moving apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the cheque moving apparatus 10 includes a first leg 12, a second leg 14, and a third leg 16 symmetrically radially extending from a central portion 18, such that each of legs 12, 14, and 16 are about 120 degrees from each other leg (i.e., the first leg 12 is 120 degrees from the second leg 14 and third leg 16, and the second leg 14 is 120 degrees from the first leg 12 and third leg 16, etc.). It should be understood that more than three legs may extend from portion 18. It should also be understood that legs 12, 14, and 16 may be asymmetrical (e.g., the first leg 12 may be greater or less than 120 degrees from the third leg 16), however, symmetry has its advantages.

[0015] As apparent from FIGS. 1 and 3, the legs 12, 14, and 16 of the cheque moving apparatus 10 are preferably the same length, height, thickness, and symmetry so that the user can quickly grab the apparatus 10 from any leg and use the same. The length of each leg (e.g., 12, 14, or 16) is preferably at least as long as is necessary to gather and push a predetermined number of stacks of cheques 20. The height of each leg (e.g., 12, 14, or 16) is preferably at least as high as a predetermined stack of cheques 20. The thickness of each leg (e.g., 12, 14, or 16) is preferably at least as thick as the material required to maintain rigidity as is necessary to push a predetermined number of stacks of cheques 20. For example, the length of each leg 12, 14, and 16 can be about 4 inches, the height can be about 2 and ½ inches, and the thickness can be about ⅛ of an inch. It is contemplated that the legs 12, 14, and 16 can be the same or different lengths, heights, thicknesses, or symmetries, and that ends 28, 30, and 32 can be equidistant or nonequidistant from one another. Additionally, it is contemplated that any one of the legs 12, 14, or 16 can operate at other than the previously mentioned length, height, thickness, or symmetry. For instance, two legs may be the same length and height, while a third leg can be a different length and height serving as a handle. With this said, the leg's 12, 14, or 16 length, height, thickness, and symmetry need to be such as to carry out the purpose of the invention.

[0016] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the front surface of each of legs 12, 14, and 16 is defined relative to the immediately adjacent leg by which a plurality of cheques 20 is to be gathered. In FIG. 2, for instance, the first leg 12 is immediately adjacent to both the second leg 14 and third leg 16. The first leg 12 can be used in combination with the second leg 14 to gather cheques 20. Therefore, the front surface 22 of the first leg 12 is nearer the second leg 14 and the back surface 24 of the first leg 12 is nearer the third leg 16.

[0017] In FIG. 2, the third leg 16 is being used as a handle. It should be understood that in the symmetrical design shown, any of the legs 12, 14, or 16 are highly suitable as a handle, and may equally be used for their relative front surfaces. Therefore, a roulette table worker may grab the cheque moving apparatus 10 by any of legs 12, 14, or 16, to gather or push cheques. However, as allowed by previously mentioned design options, certain legs may be used solely as handles.

[0018] As illustrated in FIG. 2, once the cheques 20 are gathered by the front surfaces 22 and 26 of the first 12 and second 14 legs, respectively, the third leg 16, being used as a handle, may be used to push or slide the gathered cheques 20 along a substantially flat playing surface, such as, for example, a roulette table. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cheque moving apparatus adapted for use on a gaming table to gather and move cheques thereon, comprising: a central portion; a first leg extending from said central portion having a face; a second leg extending from said central portion having a face, wherein said faces form a predetermined angle and at least one of said faces is for use in moving at least one cheque; and a handle extending from said central portion.
 2. The cheque moving apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle is a leg having a face and said legs are of a like configuration and symmetrically spaced about said central portion.
 3. The cheque moving apparatus of claim 2, wherein said legs are generally spaced approximately 120 degrees apart from one another.
 4. The cheque moving apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cheque moving apparatus is of a predetermined diameter and thickness and a stack of cheques includes a plurality of a predetermined number of cheques and a stack height, and said faces are of a height at least that of said stack height and a length at least of said diameter.
 5. The cheque moving apparatus of claim 2, wherein said cheque moving apparatus is symmetrical.
 6. The cheque moving apparatus of claim 2, wherein said legs are identical and symmetrically spaced from one another.
 7. The cheque moving apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said legs include a relatively flat blade having an edge coplanar with said edge of said other blade.
 8. The cheque moving apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said legs include a relatively flat blade having an edge coplanar with said edges of said other blades. 